- #1
jocarren
- 22
- 1
I'd like to ask an specific question. If c changes (for whatever reason*), does the rest mass of a given particle changes, asuming E is conserved?
Let's say, for a given particle, the following initial condition:
E = m0c02
m0=E/c02
If, for any given reason, the speed of light in the vacuum changes** from c0 to c1. Asuming E is conserved, for the same particle we have a new mass m1:
m1=E/c12
Then,
m0 ≠ m1
(*) The reason why c changes is beyond the scope of this question, as it is pure speculation and violates the rules of the forum. It could be a variation of the vacuum state, or any other hypothetical scenario.
(**) However, I am considering a variation of c as the propagation speed of light in vacuum, not in any given material medium. I am aware that the mass of an object does not change if it is immersed in a medium that also slows down the propagation of light. This particular scenario is beyond the scope of this question, since the slowing down of light in a material medium is a macroscopic phenomenon which, at a fundamental level, is also determined by the properties of vacuum (there is still vacuum between the atoms and fundamental particles of any material medium that refracts light).
Let's say, for a given particle, the following initial condition:
- Placed in a vacuum**.
- Rest mass m0.
- Particle's energy E.
- Propagation speed of light in vacuum c0
E = m0c02
m0=E/c02
If, for any given reason, the speed of light in the vacuum changes** from c0 to c1. Asuming E is conserved, for the same particle we have a new mass m1:
m1=E/c12
Then,
m0 ≠ m1
(*) The reason why c changes is beyond the scope of this question, as it is pure speculation and violates the rules of the forum. It could be a variation of the vacuum state, or any other hypothetical scenario.
(**) However, I am considering a variation of c as the propagation speed of light in vacuum, not in any given material medium. I am aware that the mass of an object does not change if it is immersed in a medium that also slows down the propagation of light. This particular scenario is beyond the scope of this question, since the slowing down of light in a material medium is a macroscopic phenomenon which, at a fundamental level, is also determined by the properties of vacuum (there is still vacuum between the atoms and fundamental particles of any material medium that refracts light).